<p>Hello! I would appreciate if someone could give me any information about Sophia University's Faculty of Liberal Arts non degree seeing admission. I wonder how competitive the admission is. My daughter who is currently attending college in US wants to go there for one or two semester(s) in 2010-2011. Right now, her GPA is 3.0. Her SAT is 1360/1980 (math 690, cr 670, writhing 620 ) and ACT 29 ( though I believe that test scores are not required for those non degree seeing students). She did not have stellar GPA back in high school -- I think it was 3.3. If someone could chance her, I will be really thankful. By the way, she is a US and Japanese dual citizen though has spent almost entire her life in US. She speaks Japanese but her first language is English. Thanks in advance!
ps: any other Japanese (in Tokyo area) colleges where offer similar program?</p>
<p>Waseda SILS program, but that’s a degree seeking one. TUJ has some programs. It’s located in Tokyo, US degree, liberal arts.</p>
<p>I’m sorry I can’t chance >.< I’m looking at colleges in Japan, myself 
Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks rayna! I looked at Waseda SILS website and thought their one-year degree course seems very appearing for my daughter. I also heard that ICU is another excellent college where offers classes held in English. My impression about TUJ from other discussion board is rather sketchy…but who knows. Are you going to stay in Japan more than one year? Good luck to you too!</p>
<p>sorry for the late reply!!!</p>
<p>no problem! Yes, I’ve read about ICU and TUJ. TUJ seems okay too… It’s my “safety” for schools in Japan, Waseda is my “goal” school. ICU doesn’t have the courses I’m interested in, but they look promising too!</p>
<p>Yes, (I’m a freshman but…) I plan to stay in Japan for 4 years, and stay there with an entertainment visa (as a performer). Thanks!</p>
<p>My son and I recently toured Sophia, Waseda, ICU and some Japanese-languaged based technical schools. I really liked Sophia! It has a vibrant, downtwon vibe. The buildings are more “up” than “out”, like any urban school. The wide, straight walkway that runs from one end of the campus to the other is well-suited for running into friends and acquaintances. The locale is excellent for getting to internships or p/t jobs. Waseda is probably the better-known school, and it has more of a large, old campus feel. It is in a slightly less convenient place, although still in Tokyo, and the businesses surrounding campus are more geared to students (cheap food!) than to the hoards of workers surrounding Sophia. By contrast, ICU is a good ways out into the suburbs. It has a very large campus with tons of lawn and beautiful trees. The buildings are typical of the functional, but not fancy concrete 3 - 4 stories buildings seen all over Japan. They are a legacy of the post-war construction boom (remember, Tokyo was basically destroyed by fire-bombing during WWII). ICU does not have as strong a reputation among Japanese people as Sophia or Waseda, but that doesn’t mean your experience there won’t be great. You get out what you put it!
Overall, I think the only reason to study in Japan would be to gain fluency in the language and understand the people and culture deeply. If you never go beyond studying in English, you would do better to stay in your home country. Get out! Talk in Japanese! Do internships, take enrichment classes at local community schools, live with a Japanese-speaking family or roommates. Taking these risks and becoming fluent could be your best track to a great job after graduating.</p>
<p>One revision… "the only reason to study in Japan… " really refers to getting a B.A. at Sophia, Waseda or ICU rather than at a good BA program in your home country.</p>
<p>Japan has some great technical schools which rival or exceed their equivalents in the U.S., and the technical knowledge gained is a reason in and of itself to study there. Accessing these programs requires extensive language study before applying as you will probably have an admissions interview in Japanese! I am specifically referring to fashion design programs, such as Bunka ***usoku Daigaku, Mode Gakuen and Vantan Institute. All are impressive!</p>
<p>ahh thank you so much! this helps me a lot… thanks~!</p>
<p>I def. want to stay and live in Japan… so I really wanna get a B.A at Waseda ^.^ good luck to your son, and I wish the best to you too!</p>
<p>Thank you FashionDesigner for your input! Is your son going to major fashion design in Japan? My parents live near Bunka ***usou Gakuin! It is like Japanese version of Persons in NY. Many legends such as Issei Miyake graduated from there. It is THE school for fashion design. Zoukei Daigaku is also good (famouse for space design may be not so much for fashion). Rayna3, my daughter toured Waseda and Sophia over Christmas break and absolutely LOVED Waseda! Unfortunately, she found out that she cannot apply to it unless she was willing to transfer from her current college to Waseda – so now Waseda is out from her list. Sophia has the perfect program for a student like my D who wants to study in Japan but wishes to graduate from her home country college. So, for now, she will put 120% effort on getting into Sophia – it will be amazing if she could! Good luck to everyone! Tokyo is amazing to live for sure.</p>
<p>Good luck to your daughter, Chi777! Hope she makes it! Remember to keep us updated =)</p>
<p>Thanks! I’ve read amazing things about Waseda… hopefully I’ll be able to apply one day!</p>
<p>I’m actually looking into sophia as well because its the only one my school runs through.
is it any good?</p>
<p>Since no one has replied…</p>
<p>I think it’s pretty good =) I might apply there, actually. Not in the near future, b/c I’m a freshman… but one day!</p>
<p>icedragon, I am sure you will like Sophia! Like other said, it located at perfect central Tokyo. The faculty of liberal arts department used to have their own branch campus but now has moved to the main campus. Reputation-wise, Waseda is probably regards as one of the Japanese Ivy colleges and Sophia IMO close to such school as Notre Dame, Vanderbilt or Boston college. Good luck!</p>